Tanzania: Malawi-Tanzania Border Dispute an Eye-Sore in 2013 - allAfrica.com Tanzania: Malawi-Tanzania Border Dispute an Eye-Sore in 2013 Local communities bordering Lake Nyasa on the Malawi, Tanzania border. column By Mangengesa Mdimi WHETHER we like it or not, we will soon, much sooner, in fact, pay our last respect to this odd thing called 2013. To be frank, it has done more physical and mental harm than good to us mortals; for it cut short the life of the son of Africa, a freedom fighter, a winner and a true democrat who drew inspiration from almost all reputable leaders in the world, Nelson Mandela. This 2013 monster did a lot of other social and financial damage to many a people in this country although it helped a few others like us to continue contributing to the survival of our families and very recently, it disgraced some high profile people leaving their families celebrating Christmas in sour moods. On a larger scale, it was during the reign of this 2013 bully that our country nearly went to war with our neighbours in the south west.

Actually, the 2013 guy simply opened up old wounds of a border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi because the dispute had briefly gone to sleep. It is a long standing on and off issue. It is important to note that all the time, as it is this time, it is Malawi who are the provocateurs. Malawi has always claimed that the whole lake belongs to them, claims which are baseless much as they are outrageous as all world maps and the fact on the ground shows that the lake transcends the common border and each country has got an equal right to it. First to make such outrageous claim was Malawi's first president, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who repeatedly in the 1960s and 1970s claimed 'full ownership' of the lake and at some stage even deployed military boats to patrol its waters' expanse, which was a pure act of provocation against Tanzania. Kamuzu Banda did not in fact stop at the shores of the lake, but even claimed the border was about 40 kilometres beyond the lake shore inside Tanzania, saying that parts of Mbinga, Ludewa and Kyela districts belonged to Malawi.

The claims fizzled out after Tanzania had deployed military units along the lake. The fact, as we all know it and as the world knows it, is that Lake Nyasa, one of the largest lakes in the Great African Rift Valley area, is bordered by three African countries of Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. It is the third largest lake in Africa after Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. It even gave Malawi its pre-independence era name, Nyasaland. Located in the southwest of Tanzania, the lake is spread over an area of 11,400 square kilometres. The depth of the lake also reaches to 700 metres in certain places. Lake Nyasa has some special features, which make the lake very attractive. Fourteen rivers flow into this large lake, but only River Shire flows out from Lake Nyasa to the sea. The source of the border dispute between the two nations has nothing to do with Malawi or Tanzania. It is purely one of those colonialists-made disputes. Malawi's argument is based on an agreement of 1890 between former colonial powers that stipulates the border between the two countries as lying along the Tanzanian shore of the lake.

On the other hand, Tanzania's argument is based on the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea that stipulates that in case nations are bordered by a water body (sea or lake), the border of the two nations will always be on the middle of the water body. In perspective, Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa or Lago Niassa in Mozambique), is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. The third largest and second deepest lake in Africa, it is also the ninth largest in the world. It is reportedly the habitat of more species of fish than any other body of freshwater, including more than 1000 species of cichlids and was officially declared a reserve by the Government of Mozambique on June 10, 2011. Lake Malawi is a Meromictic lake; permanent stratification and the oxic-anoxic boundary are maintained by moderately small chemical and thermal gradients.

Lake Malawi is between 560 kilometres (350 mi) and 580 kilometres (360 mi) long and about 75 kilometres (47 mi) wide at its widest point. The total surface area of the lake is about 29,600 square kilometres (11,400 sq mi). The lake has shorelines on western Mozambique, eastern Malawi, and southern Tanzania. The largest river flowing into it is the Ruhuhu River and there is an outlet at its southern end, the Shire River, a tributary that flows into the very large Zambezi River in Mozambique. The lake lies in a valley formed by the opening of the East African Rift, where the African tectonic plate is being split into two pieces. This is called a divergent plate tectonics boundary. It is variously estimated at about 40,000 years old or about one to two million years. The lake is about 350 kilometres (220 mi) southeast of Lake Tanganyika, another of the great lakes of the East African Rift. The geographic name of the lake is disputed.

Malawi claims that it is named 'Lake Malawi,' whereas other countries bordering on the lake, such as Mozambique and Tanzania, claim that the name is 'Lake Nyasa.' The origin of the dispute over the name has its background in geopolitical disputes that began before the independence of Malawi was achieved in 1964, when the territory had been known as 'Nyasaland.' Further complications emerged for political reasons during the 1960s, when President Hastings Banda of Malawi became the only African leader to establish diplomatic relations with the white-ruled country of South Africa. This recognition of the South African regime was fiercely repudiated by almost all other African leaders, including President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. This contrasting in policies toward South Africa gave some more impetus to disputes between Malawi and Tanzania, especially concerning the name of the lake itself -- the water boundary between the two countries. The current wave of dispute can be sourced to to 2011, when Malawi awarded exploration licences to British-based Surestream Petroleum to search for oil in the lake.

In 2012, Malawi's oil exploration initiative brought the issue to the fore, with Tanzania demanding that exploration cease until the dispute was settled. It is believed that most of the oil wells are located on the Tanzania side of the lake. Tanzania's objection to the oil exploration by Malawi prompted a senior Malawian official, a principal secretary to saying that his country would not hesitate to use military force to defend 'their lake.' In response East African Cooperation Minister and then Acting Prime Minister, Mr Samuel Sitta, warned that Tanzania would not hesitate to respond to any military provocation from our southwestern neighbours over their claims that Lake Nyasa, which they have preferred to call Lake Malawi belongs to them. Further, Malawi has been on and off dispute negotiating table under former heads of state of SADC and other prominent people in the region. at one point, Malawi President Joyce Banda told mediators her government would not accept any interim deal on the disputed boundary with Tanzania until the wrangle over sovereignty was settled, adding that her government would not entertain any interim agreement on Tanzania usage of the lake until the issue was resolved.

President Kikwete in a speech to mark Tanzania's National Heroes day, remarked that "anyone who tries to provoke our country will face consequences ... Our country is safe and the army is strong and ready to defend our country," without directly mentioning the Malawi border dispute. "We will not allow anyone to mess with our country or try to take away our territory. We will deal with them just as we dealt with Amin," he added. Tanzania has repeatedly assured their citizens to continue using the lake without any fear. The Minister for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, Bernard Membe embarked on a long tour of villages along the lake to reassure them of peace. It was a year that gave some scare to the people living along the lake shore both in Malawi and Tanzania. Let us hope the statement by Malawi Foreign Minister Ephraim Mganda Chiume that his country was determined to peacefully resolve the lake dispute currently raging with neighbouring Tanzania holds water. "We want this matter to be resolved diplomatically but with all the speed that it requires in order to avoid tension between the two very peaceful sister countries," he said. And this should be the spirit. Copyright © 2013 Tanzania Daily News. All rights reserved.

Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media ( allAfrica.com ). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. AllAfrica publishes around 1,000 reports a day from more than 140 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals , representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica . To address comments or complaints, please Contact us . Tanzania, Malawi row over Lake Nyasa again - News News News Tanzania, Malawi row over Lake Nyasa again A fresh row is brewing between Tanzania and Malawi over the ownership of Lake Nyasa, one of the world’s largest freshwater bodies.

Home to 1,000 endemic species of fish, estimated to be more than any other place on earth, Lake Nyasa (referred to as Lake Malawi in Southern Africa) is located at the junction of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. With an estimated fish stock of 168,000 tonnes, Lake Nyasa sustains nearly 10 million people in these three riparian countries. The latest dispute has been prompted by Malawi fishing and tourist boats allegedly encroaching on Tanzanian territorial waters on the grounds that the whole water body belongs to their country. Whereas Malawi maintains that it owns the entire lake, Tanzania claims the border is in the middle of the water body, intensifying animosity between the two neighbouring countries. The Member of Parliament for Mbeya Region (special seats), Hilda Ngoye, last week informed the Tanzanian parliament that in recent weeks, Malawi has been conducting tourism activities beyond its territorial waters. Ms Ngoye charged that the Malawian tourists and fishing boats have been trespassing on Tanzanian territorial waters at will, escalating tensions.

“Tanzanians around Lake Nyasa’s shores have the right to fish or engage in other productive activities on the lake, without being intimidated,” she told parliament, demanding an explanation from the government on the status of the border between Tanzania and Malawi. This development comes at a time when the two countries have formed a joint team to resolve the issue of the shifting River Songwe border by creating dams to be used for the economic benefit of the people of Malawi and Tanzania. The standoff over the lake is reminiscent of a recent dispute between Kenya and Uganda over the tiny Lake Victoria archipelago of Migingo. Responding to Ms Ngoye’s remarks, Attorney General Frederick Werema said Tanzania would seek international intervention in case diplomatic negotiations on the border dispute did not bear fruit. “We don’t want Tanzanians to ask for permission from Malawi to fetch water or fish from Lake Nyasa,” Judge Werema said, adding, “If we don’t reach a consensus, we will take recourse in international law.” He explained that international law requires a border to be in the middle of a water body.

Recently, Tanzania announced plans to purchase a new $9 million ferry to ply Lake Nyasa’s waters, provoking a critical response from the Malawian government. A Malawian government spokesperson said, “Like any international operation, we will need to sign a memorandum of understanding for them to start operating in a foreign water body.” An official in Malawi’s Ministry of Lands who requested anonymity said Tanzania has no legal right to start operating on Lake Malawi as the issues of the border was still unresolved. “We have been holding talks over the borders of Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) with Tanzania and since we haven’t agreed to anything as of now, the issue of sharing it with Tanzania does not exist,” said the official. Another source in Malawi told The EastAfrican in Arusha that the perception of a majority of Malawians back home was that the entire lake and even Kyela in Mbeya belongs to their country. In the early 1960s, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, then president of Malawi, had claimed that Lake Nyasa and the whole of Mbeya area in Tanzania were part of Malawi.

As a result, a committee was appointed by both countries to solve the dispute over the border and the lake’s name. To date, however, no one knows whether it was agreed on that the lake be named Lake Nyasa or Lake Malawi or if it was given another name altogether. Records show that Tanzania’s president Julius Nyerere said that he did not care if the name was Lake Nyasa, Malawi, Banda or Kamuzu, but “borders were not negotiable.” Efforts by The EastAfrican to get a comment from the new Malawian government spokesperson, Moses Kunkuyu, who is also the Minister of Information and Civic Education, proved futile as he did not respond to e-mails. Anna Mghwira, a political analyst, said while the situation on Lake Nyasa remains calm today, the complexity of the boundary disputes between the two developing nations is a time bomb. “The two countries ought to conclude the issue once and for all, otherwise this wrangle will escalate into unnecessary skirmishes in future,” Ms Mghwira noted.

Lake Nyasa, Africa’s third largest lake at 580km long and up to 80km wide in spots, has been named among the most beautiful places in the world by tourism and travel experts. Tanzania map — Tanzania — Our Africa Zambia Map Zanzibar Wildlife parks and reserves are spread all over Tanzania; on the map, you'll find information about four of the best-known – the Serengeti, Selous, Kitulo and Gombe Stream national parks. You can also discover more about other amazing natural features such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater and the two great lakes of Victoria and Tanganyika, as well as important cultural and social centres like Zanzibar, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam. Mount Kilimanjaro Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent (at 5,895 metres) and sometimes called ‘the roof of Africa’. This huge volcanic massif rises up from the savannah plains and has snow caps at its peaks. Below there are ‘alpine’ condititions and lower down the slopes, heath, moorland and then montane forests.

With over 140 mammal species and more than 170 species of bird, the whole of the Kilimanjaro National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ngorongoro Crater The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s largest unbroken caldera, a huge depression created by the collapse of a volcano. This can happen in a single huge eruption or gradually over time. Within its flat-bottomed 20km-diameter bowl (formed 2-3 million years ago), a vibrant wildlife community takes advantage of its streams and freshwater. An estimated 75,000 animals live here, including lions, elephants, hippo and rhino. The spectacular Olduvai Gorge is nearby, one of the most important sites for early human remains. Mozambique map Explore Mozambique Visitors to Mozambique often stay along the country’s coastline, which boasts some of the country’s key attractions. But you’ll see from the map there are also many places of interest inland. Foods Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions.

Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking. Children Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do. What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK? Uganda Map Explore Uganda Have a look and explore some of Uganda’s main attractions, cities and the country’s plentiful wildlife and national parks. Malawi map Explore Malawi Discover some of Malawi’s most important places and features, such as Lake Malawi, which runs almost the entire length of the country. DR Congo Map Explore DR Congo Click the map points and find out more about some of the country's key towns, rivers and wildlife areas, many of which have National Park status. Health Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people. Development ‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions. It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But where even the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life. Kenya Map Explore Kenya Kenya is a popular tourist destination because of its many national parks and game reserves. Discover a little more about some of these. The map also has a few of Kenya's key towns and cities. As well as being a hub for business, the capital Nairobi, has one of the largest slums in Africa, Kibera. Agriculture & Famine A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions. Land is available to grow more food locally, but investment is needed in technologies such as irrigation for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Rwanda map Explore Rwanda Discover some of Rwanda’s key attractions, cities and places of interest. Kigali is the capital city and is currently undergoing a lot of redevelopment. Rwanda boasts some amazing wildlife reserves including the Volcanoes National Park. Here you can see mountain gorillas among many other animals. Dodoma Dodoma lies in the geographical centre of the country. It is the official capital of Tanzania and its seat of government. Located on the old caravan route which linked Lake Tanganyika and central Africa with the sea, Dodoma is today a fairly quiet place, apart from when the legislature meets there. It makes a good base for visiting Tanzania’s ancient Kolo-Kondoa rock art sites, which lie north of Dodoma. Zanzibar The Zanzibar archipelago is made up of two islands – Pemba and Zanzibar (or 'Unguja' in Swahili). A trading centre for centuries, the name 'Zanzibar' derives from Persian-Arabic traders who called it ‘Zinj el-Barr' or ‘land of the blacks’. Arab merchants set up here dealing goods such as spices. Later, the Portuguese arrived and began the lucrative slave trade.

The ruling Islamic dynasty of Zanzibar became rich from the trade and built fine palaces and mansions. Today, visitors come to enjoy the unique and historic atmosphere of Zanzibar town, as well as diving and snorkelling along the island’s beaches. Games & Sport Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archaeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today. Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football. History The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards. However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers. Zambia Map Explore Zambia Find out about some key places in Zambia, such as Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam is the largest city (with a population over 3.3 million people) and the country’s capital in all but name. It is the main trading centre, acting as a hub for goods from across the region and as Africa’s second-largest port. With its busy industry and bustling streets, to enjoy the promise of the city's name (‘Haven of Peace’), visitors need to head to the beaches and islands within easy reach to the north and south. Lake Tanganyika At 670km, Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest lake. It is also one of the oldest, created around 9-12 million years ago. Its waters boast many unique fish, particularly among the colourful cichlids. The MV Leimba, an old steam ship, (see Zambia Tourism & Communications) travels down the lake and stops at various ports along the shoreline, including Mpulungu in Zambia and Kigoma in Tanzania. Kitulo National Park This park was established to protect the flower-rich environment of the Kitulo Plateau. During the rainy season (December to March), the park becomes a profusion of colour.

Flowers such as orchids, irises and geraniums carpet the ground. The other attraction of the area is Mount Mtwori, which at 2,961 metres, is southern Tanzania’s highest peak. Poverty Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen. About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage. Women A woman’s status varies by country and region across Africa. In many parts, women struggle against inequality in laws, education, pay and domestic responsibilities. Women’s health is also at risk from traditional practices such as early marriage. But with better education, girls can make more informed choices, leading to the greater development of African nations. Gombe Stream National Park This small park is a must-see for anyone interested in great apes. Gombe is home to one of the longest-running primate studies in the world; Jane Goodall arrived here in 1960 to research the area's chimpanzees. Used to being watched, visitors can often get within 5 metres of chimp groups.

As chimpanzees (and other primates) are declining in numbers because of deforestation, Gombe Park is a vital refuge for an animal which is our closest living relative. Kilwa The small fishing village of Kilwa Masoko lies close to the remains of a once powerful Islamic trading centre called Kilwa Kiswani (‘Kilwa on the Island’) – see History & Politics. In medieval times, this was the seat of sultans and grew rich from the trade in gold and other African goods. Later, it became a trading port for slaves. The ruins at Kilwa are listed by UNESCO as a site of historical importance. Geography & Wildlife With its varied geography and diverse habits, the African continent is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Though famous for its 'big game' animals, Africa has huge numbers of fish, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and insect species, as well as many tree, plant and flower species. Climate Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest.

Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all! Serengeti National Park The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most well-known wildlife area. From its 1.5 million hectares of savannah, over 2 million animals begin their long migration north to Kenya’s Maasai Mara region, including vast herds of wildebeest. Other mammals include zebras, giraffes, gazelles, elands and impalas. And of course, there are plenty of predators, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Visitors can take balloon trips to see the plains from up high and visit cultural centres of the Maasai tribe nearby. Lake Victoria Lake Victoria is Africa’s second-largest freshwater lake, straddling the borders of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. While the lake is well-visited in Uganda, the Tanzanian side has been infrequently visited by tourists in the past.

This is changing since an airport opened on the south shore (at Mwanza), giving safari tourists a starting-off point to the Serengeti. Elsewhere around the lake, life continues to follow very traditional patterns of fishing and small-scale farming. Commercial activities such as the growing of coffee and cotton are also increasing. Selous Game Reserve This huge reserve (50,000 square kilometres) is among the largest protected areas in Africa. For safari lovers, it's a not-to-be-missed destination, with large populations of elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, hippo, buffalo and crocodiles. The reserve is also home to endangered species such as black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) and the wild hunting dog (Lycaon pictus). Its undisturbed Miombo woodlands constitute one of the most important areas of this vegetation in the world. Major problems facing Malawi today Major problems facing Malawi today Twitter Malawi or the Republic of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland named after "Lake Nyasa" or Lake Malawi which is the third largest lake in all of Africa) is a beautiful landlocked country located at the southeastern part of Africa just at the east of the Republic of Zambia.

The Republic of Malawi has a total land area of about 118,484 squared kilometers (about 24,404sq km covered by water). The Republic of Malawi also shares borders with the Republic of Tanzania to the northeast and the Republic of Mozambique to the south, east and west. Malawi shares Lake Malawi (popularly known as Lake Nyasa or Lake Niassa in most African countries) with the Republics of Tanzania and Mozambique. Although Malawi is a landlocked country, Lake Malawi serves as a little sea with abundance of fish. Lake Malawi also provides abundance of fresh water and great beaches. The Republic of Malawi has a total population of about 16.5 million people with the population growth rate around 2.8%. Just about 20% of the total Malawian population live in urban areas.The Majority live as subsistence farmers in rural areas where they grow crops and rear animals just to feed themselves and their families. Majority of the rural population are also into tobacco farming. Tobacco forms about 53% of major export commodities in Malawi today.Coffee, peanuts, cotton, wood products, etc.

are some of the other major export commodities in Malawi today. The urban 20% live in major cities and towns such as Lilongwe the capital of Malawi (Lilongwe contains about 850,000 people) and Blantyre another major city with a population of about 900,000 people. The Republic of Malawi is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Africa today with several ethnic and racial groups living together peacefully. Chewa (about 32.6% of the total Malawian population), Lomwe (about 17.6% of the total population), Yao (about 13.5%), Ngoni (about 11.5%), Tumbuka (about 8.8%), Nyanja (about 5.8%), Sena (about 3.6%), Tonga (about 2.1%), Ngonde (about 1% of the total population), etc. are some of the major ethnic groups living in Malawi today.

Although just a small percentage of Malawians do speak and understand English Language, about 58% of the total population of Malawi do speak and understand Chichewa a local language (Chichewa is also an official language in Malawi today) helping a lot in communication. Although not yet official languages, Chinyanja, Chiyao, Chitumbuka, Chisena, Chilomwe, Chitonga, etc. are some of the other major ethnic languages spoken in Malawi today. Malawi is one of the most Christian-dominant communities in Africa today with about 82.7% of the total population being Christians. Muslims form just about 13% of the total population. Besides the abundance of fish and fresh water, Malawi is also blessed with the abundance of natural resources such as unexploited deposits of uranium, limestone, bauxite, coal, hydropower and arable land. However, despite the abundance of natural resources in Malawi, the Republic of Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in Africa today with about 50% of the total population living below poverty line.

Malawi has a literacy rate of 62.7% for the total population and a female literacy rate of just 49.8%. In other words, about 62.7% of the total population of Malawi above age 15 can at least read and write which is far better than in countries like Burkina Faso, Niger and Ethiopia. Meanwhile, just about 49.8% of the total female population of Malawi above age 15 can read and write which falls below expectation compared to most other African countries today. The Republic of Malawi remains one of the top HIV/AIDS killing zones in the world today (Malawi is in the top 15) with a high HIV/AIDS adults prevalence rate of about 11%. About 920,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi in 2009 with about 51,000 deaths recorded within the same year. Not just HIV/AIDS. The deadly Malaria, plague, bacteria and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, etc. also continue to threaten several lives in Malawi today.

Deforestation (rampant cutting down of trees for timber), land degradation (the gradual deterioration of agricultural lands due to overpopulation and other factors), water pollution from agricultural runoffs, improper sewage and industrial waste disposals, etc. remain some of the major environmental issues facing Malawi today. Just like in most other African countries today, corruption and poor governance continue to tear the beautiful Malawi into pieces. Deforestation in Africa - Malawi > General Information About the Environment in Malawi and Deforestation in Africa General Information About the Environment in Malawi and Deforestation in Africa RIPPLE Africa receives many general enquiries asking about the natural environment in Malawi, Africa, and particularly about deforestation in Africa. To help people wishing to gain a better understanding of some of the complex environmental issues Malawi is facing, we have provided a page about the environment and deforestation in Malawi and, most specifically, the Nkhata Bay District where RIPPLE Africa is based. The environment is one of RIPPLE Africa’s three main pillars of activity.

It is also the charity’s only area of focus which goes beyond our own local community: RIPPLE Africa’s environmental projects span the entire Nkhata Bay District, an area of just over 4,000km². RIPPLE Africa’s environmental projects include tree planting, fruit tree projects, fuel-efficient cookstoves, forest conservation, and more. Environmental Overview Malawi is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa, bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. Malawi is 118,000km², but one fifth of the country is made up of Lake Malawi, so actual land area is 94,080km², roughly the size of Scotland and Wales combined. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south, and Lake Malawi lies to the east. Land is made up of mountains, plateaux, hills, valleys, flatlands, and lakeshore. Malawi has a sub-tropical climate, and experiences a rainy season from December to March, a cold dry season from April to August, and a hot dry season from September to November.

Primary forest at Kalwe: Much of Malawi had large trees like this Deforestation of lower slopes by subsistence farmers Malawi was previously heavily forested. However, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), forest cover is now just 34.4% of the total land area of Malawi (UN data 2010) (fallen from 41.4% in 1990). The Northern Region, where RIPPLE Africa is based, has more forested areas than the heavily populated Southern and Central Regions combined. The challenge for Malawi for the future, with its rapidly growing population, is to help communities to develop a more sustainable approach to the environment. Deforestation for Farming Nearly all of these large hardwood trees have been cut down for timber One farmer illegally cut down all of these trees and was going to open a new farm Once the trees have been cut down and burnt, the soil is exposed to erosion from the rain Most of Malawi was originally covered by forest but, over the years, people have been cutting down the trees and burning them where they fall to open up areas for farming — this is commonly known as “slash and burn” agriculture.

In the past, these areas were farmed for one to three years, and then the farmer would move on, cut down some more forest, and start all over again. Whilst the population of Malawi was small, the environment was able to recover as the trees would regenerate but now, with the population doubling every 25 years (in July 2011, the population of Malawi is estimated to be 17.2 million (2015 Source World Bank) — see Malawi Facts and Figures ), there is increased pressure on available land. Today, more than 80% of Malawians live in the rural areas and are subsistence farmers. Fires burn out of control and regularly burn people’s houses Often the land on the steep slopes is very marginal and produces poor crops This is central Malawi where the forests have all been cut down and only a few small trees now grow During President Hastings (Kamuzu) Banda’s time in office following Malawi’s independence from Britain in 1964 until 1994, the forests in Malawi were protected.

However, with the arrival of multi-party politics and democracy in 1994, the people believed that they had the freedom to do what they liked, and huge areas of forest have been cut down in the past 17 years to provide more farmland to produce food. The result is that much of the country has very few forests left and, in fact, it is not possible to see a large tree in many places in south and central Malawi. In Nkhata Bay District, the area in which RIPPLE Africa is working, there are still large areas of forested hills, but these are disappearing very quickly because people from other areas of Malawi are now moving into the District and cutting down the trees illegally. The deforestation in the hills is causing a major change to the landscape and to the climate. As soon as the trees are cut down, the soil is exposed to the rain and, in many places, most of the top soil is washed away into the rivers and eventually into Lake Malawi.

This is leaving the hills infertile so that trees and crops do not grow well, and the soil that is being deposited in the lake is affecting fish stocks which, together with over-fishing, is causing a dramatic reduction in the number of fish that are being caught in the lake. In Nkhata Bay District, which is close to the lake, the yearly rainfall is 1.2m The eroded soil washes down the rivers and eventually into the lake This is an example of gully erosion due to deforestation Other Reasons Why Trees Are Cut Down The main reasons why the trees in Malawi are cut down are as follows. Three-stone fires consume huge quantities of wood Typically, each family consumes over 150 bundles of wood per year for their cooking fire Bags of illegal charcoal for sale by the side of the road Wood is the main fuel in Malawi, and 95% of homes still use wood or charcoal for cooking. Nearly everybody uses three-stone fires for cooking, and each fire consumes about three large bundles (weighing about 30kg each) of wood per week. In many areas, wood is now becoming very scarce.

Although the government has a number of laws to restrict the sale of wood and charcoal without a licence, the practice is very common throughout the country. The use of charcoal for cooking is more common in the major towns, but charcoal production and the sale of charcoal is illegal. However, despite this, the people in rural areas produce many bags of charcoal which are transported to the towns. This fuel is incredibly wasteful as it uses a considerable number of trees to produce one bag of charcoal. Most houses in Malawi are made from bricks, and these are commonly made by putting clay soil into moulds and then drying them in the sun. These sun-dried bricks are then built into a large kiln and vast amounts of wood are used to fire them. In October/November, it is normal to see people burning their bricks all over the country, but there is no restriction on this activity at the moment. To make enough bricks for a small family house would require three large mango trees or the equivalent.

Charcoal being produced illegally A brick kiln, which is burnt for 24 hours, uses three large trees to fire enough bricks for one small house Sawyers cut down hardwood trees in the forest, usually without permission There is now very little hardwood available in Malawi for timber production. Sawyers walk up into the hills and cut down the best hardwood trees to make planks for building and for furniture. Although wood is such an important resource in Malawi, the Malawians have been very poor at managing their woodland and replanting their trees. Agriculture A healthy crop of improved maize grown in a low-lying fertile area Local maize and poor nutrients produce disappointing crops Young cassava shoots: Cassava provides the staple food for many people in Nkhata Bay District Malawians used to farm the old traditional crops of millet and sorghum which are disease and drought resistant but, as with most of the other countries in Africa, maize was introduced by the World Bank in the 1950s and is now the most popular crop as the staple food in Malawi. Ideally, maize needs good soil and nutrients, and sufficient water, but it is susceptible to disease and drought.

Maize is commonly grown in the rainy season from seed which farmers have to buy, and it is planted in December. Unfortunately, Malawians rarely rotate their crops and often, at the end of the season, the fields are burnt to clear them so that the nutrients are destroyed and there is very little organic matter in the soil. Hence, increasingly, farmers rely on expensive, chemical fertilisers to increase their crop yields. Young children regularly start bush fires in the dry season for fun In the dry season, people prefer to burn their fields to prepare them for planting crops in December, leaving the soil without organic materials Bush fires burn out of control and often destroy mango trees, thatching grass, and other valuable resources In Nkhata Bay District, the most common crop is cassava from which a flour similar to maize flour is produced, and this is used as the staple food in the area. Cassava is reasonably easy to grow — a short piece of stem is planted in the ground, and this will grow throughout the rainy and dry seasons. As with maize, this crop is regularly planted without rotation.

In the dry season, October/November, many farmers burn the bush as a quick way to clear their land, and children set fire to the dry vegetation for fun, with devastating results. All of the organic matter is destroyed, and homes, trees, and seeds are also burnt, often leaving the soil sterile. Lake Malawi Lake Malawi, which is the ninth largest lake in the world, is a major part of life in Malawi. It covers one fifth of the country and, traditionally, people who live along the lakeshore are fishermen. As a result of large-scale soil erosion due to deforestation, the lake is suffering from siltation which, together with over-fishing, has caused the fish stocks to reduce. In the 1970s, the average consumption of fish was 14kg per person per year, but it has now fallen to about 4kg per person per year because of the reduction of fish stocks in the lake and the growth in population.

Usipa, a local small fish which is dried in the sun and provides valuable protein Lake Malawi has been over-fished in many places, and people are often seen using mosquito nets to catch the smallest of fish Over the last 10 years, fish stocks have fallen dramatically Videos Forest Conservation: Signing of Bylaws (9:08) Deforestation, Bush Burning and Forest Conservation (2:51) Fish Conservation: Fish for Tomorrow (6:41) Donate now to make a difference Malawi - Nomad Africa Adventure Tours Malawi Request Our Brochure Cape Town Direct Sales / Reservations 39 Castle Street, Cape Town (Across the road from Cape Town Tourism) +27 (0)21 426 5445 +27 (0) 21 422 1175 websales@nomadtours.co.za Send Us A Message Would you like to receive our newsletters? Yes, send me Nomad Newsletter! Message* Currency Currency converter Currency conversions are estimated and should be used for informational purposes only. Upon checkout, you will be charged in South African Rands.

« Country Malawi Malawi, previously known as Nyasaland during colonial times, shares a border with Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique and is one of Africa's smallest nations. Malawi is known to be The Heart Of Africa; showcasing not only their own beauty and lifestyles, but representing so many other African nations through their political and economic structure and idyllic scenery. About Malawi Malawi, previously known as Nyasaland during colonial times, shares a border with Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique and is one of Africa’s smallest nations, being 118 000 square kilometres in size. For such a small nation, Malawi has an incredibly large population; 13 900 000 people call this land “home”. Malawi is an elongated country which can be divided into three sections, known as the north, central and southern regions. The beauty of travelling to Malawi is that you can see something of everything that the country has to offer.

For instance, whether you’re in the north, central or south you’ll be able to tour the magnificent Lake Malawi, and regardless of where you find yourself staying in Malawi accommodation, you’ll learn something exciting about the local tribes and custom, see it’s beautiful plains and mountains, and be able to observe the countries abundance of wildlife. Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi despite Blantyre being the largest. Both cities however offer fantastic tourist opportunities for tourists to explore, experience the local cuisine and learn something about the lifestyle of the locals. Malawi is however, one of the world’s most under-developed countries, with most of its citizens making their lives in rural parts as farmers. The beautiful attractions, landscape and wildlife entices thousands of tourists every year, aiding to the country’s economy. Malawi is known to be The Heart Of Africa; showcasing not only their own beauty and lifestyles, but representing so many other African nations through their political and economic structure and idyllic scenery. Facts and Figures about Malawi Area

Question: Three African countries have a shoreline on Lake Malawi - Tanzania, Malawi and which other?
Answer: MOZAMBIQUE